Area Of Northeastern Brazil Research Articles

Infant mortality and low birth weight in cities of Northeastern and Southeastern Brazil.

To compare estimates of low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), and infant mortality in two birth cohorts in Brazil. The two cohorts were performed during the 1990s, in S o Lu s, located in a less developed area in Northeastern Brazil, and Ribeir o Preto, situated in a more developed region in Southeastern Brazil. Data from one-third of all live births in Ribeir o Preto in 1994 were collected (2,839 single deliveries). In S o Lu s, systematic sampling of deliveries stratified by maternity hospital was performed from 1997 to 1998 (2,439 single deliveries). The chi-squared (for categories and trends) and Student t tests were used in the statistical analyses. The LBW rate was lower in S o Lu s, thus presenting an epidemiological paradox. The preterm birth rates were similar, although expected to be higher in Ribeir o Preto because of the direct relationship between preterm birth and LBW. Dissociation between LBW and infant mortality was observed, since S o Lu s showed a lower LBW rate and higher infant mortality, while the opposite occurred in Ribeir o Preto. Higher prevalence of maternal smoking and better access to and quality of perinatal care, thereby leading to earlier medical interventions (cesarean section and induced preterm births) that resulted in more low weight live births than stillbirths in Ribeir o Preto, may explain these paradoxes. The ecological dissociation observed between LBW and infant mortality indicates that the LBW rate should no longer be systematically considered as an indicator of social development.

Histopathologic Patterns of Nephropathy in Naturally Acquired Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis

Although the nephropathy of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is known both in humans and dogs, histopathologic alterations have not been thoroughly studied. We examined renal alterations in 55 dogs with naturally acquired VL compared with five noninfected dogs from an endemic area in northeastern Brazil. Glomerulonephritis was found in 55 dogs, interstitial alterations in 53 dogs, and tubular changes in 43 dogs with VL. The glomerular alterations found were minor glomerular abnormalities (n = 8, 14.5%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (n = 10, 18.2%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (n = 17, 32.7%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, (n = 18, 30.9%), crescentic glomerulonephritis (n = 1, 1.8%), and chronic glomerulonephritis (n = 1, 1.8%). Morphometric and ultrastructural studies complemented the analysis. The five control animals exhibited no glomerular alterations. The glomerular lesions were related to functional alterations. Considering that the alterations of canine and human nephropathy in VL are very similar, the data obtained in this study constitute an important contribution to the understanding of canine and human VL nephropathy.

Efeito do início de ocorrência do míldio na produção de frutos do meloeiro

O míldio, causado por Pseudoperonospora cubensis, é a principal doença fúngica da cultura do meloeiro (Cucumis melo) no período chuvoso nas regiões produtoras do Nordeste brasileiro, e para o seu controle são realizadas até dez aplicações de fungicidas. O estabelecimento de sistemas de previsão de danos causados por esta doença requer uma estimativa sob várias situações epidêmicas. Os danos causados pelo míldio à produção de frutos do meloeiro, levando-se em consideração o início do aparecimento dos sintomas e o estádio de desenvolvimento da planta, foram determinados em três experimentos de campo. Utilizou-se a aplicação de uma das misturas fungicidas tiofanato metílico + clorotalonil ou metalaxyl + mancozeb no estabelecimento de menores intensidades de míldio. Houve uma significativa redução do rendimento de frutos quando a doença teve início aos 24 e 36 dias, porém, quando a doença iniciou-se aos 47 dias, nenhum efeito na produção foi observado. Concluiu-se que os aspectos relacionados com a duração e, notadamente, com o início da epidemia, em relação ao ciclo do hospedeiro, devem ser considerados no estabelecimento de modelos de prognósticos de danos à produção.

Molecular markers contribute to a breeding programme of the extinct-in-the-wild Alagoas Curassow Mitu mitu and confirm the validity of the species

Alagoas Curassow Mitu mitu is considered extinct in the wild, having previously inhabited a small area in north-eastern Brazil that has since been replaced by sugar cane farms. Around 50 birds possessing morphological features of this species are still alive in captivity in Brazil, all being descendants from a breeding programme started in 1979, using offspring from a single male and two females captured from the wild. However, this captive population also includes some hybrids with the congeneric Razor-billed Curassow M. tuberosa and their descendants. Furthermore, the validity of Alagoas Curassow as a species is questionable. We used two molecular markers to study the validity of this taxon as a species, to detect potential hybrids present in the stock, and to estimate genetic variability among the remnant specimens. The analysis of 760 base pairs from mitochondrial cytochrome b and control region sequences revealed that at least three of the 20 birds analysed had sequences identical to those of Razor-billed Curassow. The other 17 birds presented sequences that diverged 2.6% from Razor-billed Curassow. Moreover, a sample from an Alagoas Curassow museum skin collected from the wild in 1951 had cytochrome b sequences identical to those of the 17 birds. These results confirm the Alagoas Curassow as a valid species. DNA fingerprinting profiles of the 20 descendants from the Alagoas Curassow breeding population showed that this group of birds is depauperate in genetic variability. There was an increase in genetic variability of birds born after 1990, attributed to the hybrid mating of Alagoas Curassow with Razor-billed Curassow. We suggest that birds born before 1990 should be handled separately from the others. However, if a decrease in chick harvest among birds of this group is detected due to inbreeding depression or ageing, cross-breeding between this group and the group of birds most closely related to it should be considered in order to enrich the progeny with the Alagoas Curassow genome.

Estimating the incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus in a tropical region (Natal, Brazil).

The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in a tropical urban community (Natal city, Brazil). Only patients living in Natal, a city in the northeastern area of Brazil, older than 15 years, and who fulfilled at least four of the American College of Rheumatology criteria between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2000, were included. Four sources were used to identify new cases of SLE: (1) the University Hospital; (2) 'health units' and hospitals of the public health network; (3) specialists at private hospitals and outpatient clinics; and (4) three laboratories performing antinuclear antibody (ANA) determination. Census data from 2000 for Brazilian population was used to calculate incidence rate. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) method and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Forty-three patients were diagnosed as new SLE cases in 2000. The calculated incidence was 8.7/100,000/year (95% CI 6.3-11.7). Thirty-eight patients were female 14.1/100,000/year (95% CI 10.0-19.3) and five were male 2.2/100,000/year (95% CI 0.7-5.2). The mean age of new SLE cases was 31.8 years old. (95% CI 27.8-35.8). The mean age for females was 31.4 and for males was 35.0 years old. The median of disease duration (time between onset of the first ACR criterion for SLE and diagnosis) was 10 months (1-72 months). This study demonstrated a high incidence of SLE in Natal, apparently higher than reported in other places. The mean age at diagnosis seems lower than referred by other studies. The observed differences may be due to ethnic and/or environmental factors.

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in a northeastern area of Brazil.

We used a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to obtain the genotypes of circulating hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients from a Gastro-Hepatology Unit in the city of Salvador (Bahia State) in northeastern Brazil. Viral RNA was detected in 83 (65.4%) of 127 anti-HCV seropositive serum samples. Positivity was significantly associated with alterations in levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.05). Genotyping of HCV was performed by RT-PCR using genotype-specific primers from the core region: 24.1% were infected with subtype 1a, 38.6% with 1b, 3.6% with 2, 21.7% with 3a, and 12.0% with a mixed genotype. There was no difference in genotype distribution when compared with results from other Brazilian locations. Surprisingly, the high frequency of genotype 3 in Brazilian samples continues to be different from that reported around the world and warrants further investigation.

Fin d'analyse

The relief evolution of several areas of northeastern Brazil has been increasingly related to tectonic events. This is the case for the Paraíba Basin, where an abundance of faults and folds were recorded in Neogene and even Late Pleistocene-Holocene deposits. We tested whether dome-like morphologies in the northern sector of this basin, where geological exposures are scarce, were also formed by tectonic deformation. The work combined limited geological data with qualitative and quantitative analyses of the relief applying the 1 arc-second digital elevation model provided by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. The geomorphic indices of basin asymmetry factor (AF), swath topographic profiles, enhanced transverse hypsometry index (THi*) and normalized river long-profiles were used for validating a neotectonic origin for the dome-like morphologies. This interpretation was also supported by other morphological evidence of the dome relief, including: recurving channels featured in radial to recurved trellis patterns; tectonically-controlled drainage sub-basins; high relative relief values related to increased fluvial incision; and anomalous river long-profiles indicative of ungraded rivers. The domic structures were attributed to fault- and fold-related strike-slip deformation during the late Quaternary. This record supports the proposal that the South American passive margin remained under tectonic stress long after the main rifting in the late Jurassic-early Cretaceous.

Mosquitoes potential vectors of canine heartworm in the Northeast Region from Brazil

In some coastal districts of São Luís, capital of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis is more than 40% in house dogs. Natural potential vectors, as found in other areas of Northeastern Brazil, are unknown. The aim of this study was to identify probable vectors of the disease. Mosquito catches were performed at a coastal, district Olho d'Agua, in S. Luís, to look for local potential vectors. Captures were carried out monthly, from March 1996 to May 1997, outdoors, having a man and a dog as baits. Mosquitoes were dissected for D. immitis larvae. A total of 1,738 mosquitoes belonging to 11 species were collected. Culex quinquefasciatus, the only species collected every month, was more frequently in the dry season. It accounted for 54.5% of the total, followed by Aedes albopictus (20. 3%), Ae. scapularis (11%) and Ae. taeniorhynchus (11%). D. immitis larvae were detected in 0.1% of the Cx. quinquefasciatus dissected (L3 in the Malpighian tubules) and 0.5% of the Ae. taeniorhynchus (L2 in the Malpighian tubules). Ae. taeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus are considered natural potential vectors of the canine heartworm in São Luís. The role of Cx. quinquefasciatus as primary vector of D. immitis, however, needs further evaluation.

Epidemiology of ageing in Northeastern Brazil: results of a household survey

The population of Brazil is ageing very rapidly, and the care of the elderly is an emerging priority. Up to this date, there is no comprehensive study addressing the profile of the elderly in Northeastern Brazil. The objective is to compile the multidimensional profile of the elderly residents in a metropolitan area of Northeastern Brazil. Six hundred sixty-seven elderly (60 years and over), residents in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, constituting a multistage random sample stratified by socioeconomic status. The data was gathered by household survey using a multidimensional functional assessment questionnaire. The majority of the elderly were living in multigenerational households (75,3%). More than half (51,9%) lived without the spouse; 92,4% mentioned at least one disease; 26,4% were considered psychiatric cases; 47,7% showed loss of autonomy; 6,6% were hospitalized, and 61,4% used health services within the twelve and six months preceding the interview, respectively. The prevalence of multigenerational households, loss of autonomy and psychiatric morbidity were higher in the poorest areas. The elderly population in the city of Fortaleza lives mainly in multigenerational households, with physical and mental morbidity rates particularly high in poor areas, they represent special concern in terms of burden for the social and health services in the next decades

Surface water balance estimation for a semi-arid region using a regional climate model and comparison of water balance components with global circulation model output and analysis data

We have applied the regional climate model REMO, which is based on the Europa-Modell (EM) of the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), to the Tropics. We have performed model runs using the so-called “nesting technique”. Results of a Global Circulation Model (GCM) with a T42 horizontal resolution, driven by observed Sea Surface Temperatures (SST's) covering the time-span December 1982 to December 1983 are used as initial and boundary conditions. Before using regional model results as driving forces for impact models, the model results have to be carefully validated in several steps. Here, we focus on the ability of both models in reproducing the surface water balance within the land-covered part of the model area shown in Fig. 1 as well as within a diagnosis area in Northeastern Brazil (NEB). We compare the model-simulated components contributing to this balance with analysis data. As an example, observations from a location in Central Piauí are used to relate modelled and analysed precipitation to real data. Conclusions are drawn on requirements for improved physical parametrizations and modified initial and boundary conditions. From the model comparison, it becomes clear that a comprehensive validation of the regional model for climate impact research using observations will only be possible if changed experimental conditions are applied. Therefore, it is intended to provide initial and lateral boundary conditions from analysis data to the regional model and to use a parametrization package which includes a large scale precipitation scheme as applied in the global models ECHAM3 and ECHAM4 in future investigations.

Persistence and Decline: Slave Labour and Sugar Production in the Bahian Recôncavo, 1850–1888

AbstractFocusing on the last decades before abolition (1888), this study examines slave labour and sugar production in the Bahian Recôncavo in Northeastern Brazil, one of the oldest slaveholding regions in the Americas. It demonstrates the marked contrast between the Recôncavo and the other main sugar-producing areas of Northeastern Brazil. In Bahia, the years 1850–88 did not witness an increase in sugar exports; on the contrary, exports stagnated and then, with abolition, suffered a nearly complete collapse. Furthermore, sugar planters in the Recôncavo, unlike other Northeastern planters, relied overwhelmingly on slave labour until the very eve of abolition. The study suggests that the explanation for the contrast between the Recôncavo and other Northeastern sugar regions lies in alternatives to sugar production for a significant segment of the planter class and in alternatives to work on sugar plantations for a substantial part of the poor free population in the Recôncavo.

A simple cloud masking approach using NOAA AVHRR daytime data for tropical areas

Abstract A simple method for cloud detection for AVHRR daytime data is presented and checked for equatorial/tropical areas based on a study area in northeastern Brazil. Five different cloud masking techniques based on visible and infrared spectral information for cloud detection are calibrated. The significant differences between the equatorial threshold obtained in this work and the midlatitude thresholds given by Saunders and Kriebel and by Thiermann and Ruprecht are compared and discussed. Results from the cloud masking algorithm are presented and comments are made about the problems related to the automatic cloud detection algorithm presented in this study.

Silicosis in brazilian pit diggers: Relationship between dust exposure and radiologic findings

The incidental diagnosis of two cases of silicosis at Messejana Hospital, Fortaleza, capital of Ceará state, triggered a field research conducted with the objective of investigating the incidence of silicosis in pit diggers in four towns in the Ibiapaba Mountain Range, at the state's northwestern area, northeastern Brazil. Out of a universe of 1,050 pit diggers in the area, 366 participated in the study; they were all males ranging in age between 16 and 76 years old (average 39 years). The excavation and the sickening process were described and a dust exposure index in pit diggers (DEIPD) was defined. The study sample indicated a rate of 121 (33.06%) silicotics and possibly silicotics. The radiologic findings were related to the DEIPD and indicated significant prevalence of disease. Furthermore, during the research period, from 1986 to 1989, 30 (34.9%) silicotics died of respiratory failure and wasting of body tissues. The data suggested that these men were afflicted with a severe occupational health problem, possibly scattered throughout a large area in northeastern Brazil, where manual pit excavations occur during the whole year and increase during drought periods.

Biology of a strain of Neoseiulus idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Southwest Brazil

The biology of a strain of Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark & Muma from Carapo, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, was studied on two tetranychid prey, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) and Tetranychus urticae Koch, at 25±1°C and 80±10% RH. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was considerably higher on T. urticae than on M. tanajoa (0.214 and 0.139, respectively). N. idaeus had lower total fecundity and net reproductive rate and higher mean generation time and sex ratio when the prey was M. tanajoa. Eggs of N. idaeus from Carapo were considerably more susceptible to low humidity levels than eggs of populations of N. idaeus originating from drier areas in northeastern Brazil.

Humoral and Cellular Immune Response of Adults from Northeastern Brazil with Chronic Trypanosoma cruzi Infection: Depressed Cellular Immune Response to T. cruzi Antigen among Chagas' Disease Patients with Symptomatic Versus Indeterminate Infection

Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi can cause chronic Chagas' disease manifestations (cardiac, gastrointestinal), although most persons with chronic infection have no ill effects (indeterminate form). Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) responses are believed to be intrinsically important in the containment of T. cruzi and in the pathogenesis of Chagas' disease. Humoral and CMI responses were investigated in 70 T. cruzi-infected persons from an endemic area in northeastern Brazil and in 30 uninfected controls. An epidemiologic survey, physical examination, and blood evaluation were conducted for each subject. The 70 chronically infected persons were subclassified into three clinical groups: indeterminate, cardiac, and gastrointestinal. Serum was tested for antibodies to T. cruzi by hemagglutination assay, indirect immunofluorescent assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and for autoantibodies to tubulin. Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), albumin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured to assess one parameter each of immunosuppression, nutritional status, and inflammation. The proliferative response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to T. cruzi antigens, mitogen (phytohemagglutinin), and antigen-free controls was also assessed. Our data did not reveal any significant differences in serum levels of antibodies to T. cruzi, antibodies to tubulin, albumin, CRP, or sIL-2R among the subgroups of infected individuals. The data demonstrate differences in CMI responses. Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigote lysate stimulated proliferation of PBMC from infected persons, but not uninfected controls. Patients with symptomatic Chagas' disease (cardiac and gastrointestinal groups) had decreased cellular responses to T. cruzi lysate (median proliferation index [PI] = 3), compared with those in the indeterminate group (median PI = 9; P < 0.005). Further investigations of the mechanism of this reduced CMI response in those with chronic disease may yield insights into the pathogenesis of Chagas' disease.

Level of physical activity and related factors in university health areas: a longitudinal study

Physical inactivity ranks fourth among the main risk factors for mortality worldwide. Aim to relate a change or increase in the level of physical activity with socioeconomic variables and lifestyle over a six-month period in university students in the health field. This is a longitudinal study, consisting of 167 university students in the health area in northeastern Brazil. Use the "Map of Physical Activity and Health-MAFIS" as an instrument or questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency and percentage, square test, posterior assembly of the logistic regression model. The results show that the university students who responded are “barely able” to wake up an hour earlier to perform protected physical activities by 78% (OR: 0.217; CI: 0.056-0.83) against the practice of AFLAZ compared to those who consider " quite capable ". It was concluded that the willingness to wake up 1 hour earlier is related to doing physical activity over a period of six months in health students.

MAGMATISMO PÓS-PALEOZÓICO NO NORDESTE ORIENTAL DO BRASIL

Since the Jurassic, the area of Northeastern Brazil was affected by several magmatic events, both intrusive and effusive ones. The ages of the igneous bodies are not perfectly known, but it can be stated that some sedimentary basins accomodated prominent part of the geologic record from the igneous activity. The area north to the 8°S parallel was more intenselly affected, comprising deposits in the Parnaiba, Potiguar, and Lavras da Mangabeira basins. The occurrences are relatively scattered on Precambrian areas, restricted to zones very far from the Sao Francisco Craton. There are three main age groups. The Jure-Cretaceous bodies (pre-Aptian) are composed of tholeiitic basalts normally without olivine. The Albian and Tertiary ones usually exhibit modal olivine and alkaline composition. It seems that a quiet phase occurred comprising the Neocretaceous and the Paleocen. Based on aeromagnetic and geologic maps at a regional scale,it has been possible to show that some areas were strongly affected by igneous activity. Part of them can be followed along hundreds of kilometers, in a shape of igneous allignements. The most expressive are the Rio Ceara-Mirim, the Mecejana-Fernando de Noronha, both trending E-W, and Macau-Queimadas, trending NNW. The former is related to Neocomian, and the others belong to the Tertiary. There are no Quaternary igneous activity in the continental area, but some oceanic islands were evolved until the end of the tertiary.

The association of Schistosomiasis mansoni and proteinuria in an endemic area. A preliminary report.

The association of Schistosoma mansoni infection and proteinuria was investigated by measuring quantitative urinary protein in a defined population in an endemic area in northeastern Brazil. Persons with schistosomiasis had higher mean urinary protein than those without. Two of 162 persons with schistosomiasis had clear evidence of renal disease (pathologic proteinuria, abnormal urinary sediment). These results seemed to be related neither to the intensity of S. mansoni infection as measured by fecal egg excretion nor to the presence of hepatic and splenic enlargement in schistosomiasis.

Cross-sectional studies on Schistosoma mansoni infection in northeast Brazil.

Studies on the prevalence and morbidity of Schistosoma mansoni infection were carried out in selected areas of northeastern Brazil. The study revealed that both prevalence and morbidity rates were significantly higher in rural than in urban areas. No statistically significant differences in prevalence and morbidity were found in relation to sex. The age-specific prevalence curve was found to be of the usual shape found in highly endemic areas of the country: it reaches its peak in the 10-14 group, and slightly decreases in the older groups. Although it is generally admitted that hepatosplenic forms of the disease occur more frequently between 10 and 40 years of age, the present study has shown that the proportion of these severe cases increases with increase of age.

SOME QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF DIAGNOSIS AND EPIDEMIOLOGY IN SCHISTOSOMIASIS MANSONI.

SummaryOviposition of Schistosoma mansoni is very low, around 250 eggs per day. Since these are deposited in the small veins of the portal system, an estimated 80% being retained in the tissues, diagnosis of schistosomiasis by a stool examination succeeds only when the worm load exceeds a few hundred flukes.The author presents prevalence data for a highly endemic area in northeastern Brazil and shows how accuracy depends closely on the method of examination used and the number of slides read. When a group of young children is to be studied, it is suggested that the intradermal test be used.Severity of clinical schistosomiasis probably depends on the worm load. Some individuals with splenomegaly will be host to thousands of flukes. Since the majority of adults in the hyperendemic regions of Brazil have stools positive for S. mansoni, it is suggested that the detection of areas deserving priority in public health measures be judged not by prevalence but by a study of egg counts.